Aerial warfare experts at Lockheed Martin Corp. will provide eight F-16 Block 70 single-seat jet fighters to the government of Bulgaria under terms of a $512 million contract announced last week.

Officials of the U.S. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, are asking the Lockheed Martin Aeronautics segment in Fort Worth, Texas, to build the Block 70 F-16 aircraft, which is the newest and most advanced F-16 production configuration.

The F-16 Block 70 avionics has the Northrop Grumman AN/APG-83 active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar. This variant, called the Viper, first flew in October 2015. It has a center pedestal display, and a modernized mission computer.

The Lockheed Martin F-16 Block 70 features the most advanced fourth-generation fighter aircraft capabilities in NATO’s inventory today, company officials say. The F-16 has been flying since 1974.

The plane also has structural upgrades to extend the structural life of the aircraft. Included is an advanced data link, targeting pod, weapons, GPS navigation, and automatic ground collision avoidance system (Auto GCAS).

The F-16 Block 70 features technologies developed for the fifth-generation F-35 Lightning II and F-22 Raptor jet fighters in a low-risk solution for Bulgaria’s and NATO defense needs, Lockheed Martin officials say.

The F-16 Block 70 package for Bulgaria includes training for pilots and ground crew, logistics, support equipment and weapons.

Aerial warfare experts at Lockheed Martin Corp. will provide eight F-16 Block 70 single-seat jet fighters to the government of Bulgaria under terms of a $512 million contract announced last week.

Officials of the U.S. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, are asking the Lockheed Martin Aeronautics segment in Fort Worth, Texas, to build the Block 70 F-16 aircraft, which is the newest and most advanced F-16 production configuration.

The F-16 Block 70 avionics has the Northrop Grumman AN/APG-83 active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar. This variant, called the Viper, first flew in October 2015. It has a center pedestal display, and a modernized mission computer.

The Lockheed Martin F-16 Block 70 features the most advanced fourth-generation fighter aircraft capabilities in NATO’s inventory today, company officials say. The F-16 has been flying since 1974.

The plane also has structural upgrades to extend the structural life of the aircraft. Included is an advanced data link, targeting pod, weapons, GPS navigation, and automatic ground collision avoidance system (Auto GCAS).

The F-16 Block 70 features technologies developed for the fifth-generation F-35 Lightning II and F-22 Raptor jet fighters in a low-risk solution for Bulgaria’s and NATO defense needs, Lockheed Martin officials say.

The F-16 Block 70 package for Bulgaria includes training for pilots and ground crew, logistics, support equipment and weapons.